The Hyerdahl FAQ
>                                     Version 1.2
>
> You may have noted a poster named Hyerdahl.
> Who is Hyerdahl?
> How does Hyerdahl work?
> How do you deal with Hyerdahl?
> Read on.
>
> -----------------------------
> Who is Hyerdahl?
>
> Hyderdahl is a long-time contrarian poster on soc.men. However, her
> agenda is not, as it might first appear, either feminism or a rational
> discussion of issues. Her agenda, as most posters have realized over
> years of dealing with her, involves assuming the mantle of feminism in
> order to empower herself. To understand Hyerdahl, you need to
> understand that although she uses feminism as a cover, her purpose
> here is purely personal.
>
> She may strike you as one of those mumbling street people who grab you
> by the arm and talk in endless streams without making any sense, lost
> in their own world of disturbed need. Unfortunately, the analogy is
> apt.
>
> One of the most insecure people you'll probably ever meet, she is not
> open to rational discourse, because the truth is not paramount for
> her, as it is with innocent posters who reply to her. Only her own
> empowerment is important, something that's quickly identifiable as the
> common thread behind her rapidly shifting positions. As you'll find if
> you reply to her, she'll change her point of view dozens of times or
> more in a single discussion in order to assure herself she's the
> winner.
>
> She's gone by various pseudonyms over the years, including Carol Ann
> Hemmingway, Parg2000, Pargeon, Hyerdahl, Hyerdahl1, Hyerdahl3, etc.
>
>
> -----------------------------
> How does Hyerdahl work?
>
> Hyerdahl is intelligent, but her unrelenting sense of insecurity
> drives her posts. She operates in four specific ways to reassure
> herself that she's "winning":
>
> 1.) Uses formulaic answers that don't address the issue (e.g., Man:
> "Fathers should have more visitation rights." H: "Men
are no longer
> allowed to shirk their child support responsibilities.") This allows
> her to reply rapid-fire to many posts in an attempt to dominate
> discussion without investing much real effort.
>
> 2.) Wants to speak for all "women," in a classic attempt at
> self-empowerment (e.g., Man: "Fathers should have more visitation
> rights." H: "Women no longer have to listen to what you say.")
>
> 3.) Uses outright lies to try to make a point, as in, "There is no
> message of gender supremacy [from feminists]; there is only legal
> equality."
>
> 4.) Says that women now have guns to control men; the power need here
> is obvious.
>
> 5.) Posts many anti-male news items to the group in an attempt to bait
> other posters and dominate and/or steer discussion. This is a standard
> troll tactic. Flooding news groups is against the usenet charter.
>
> Keep in mind that she'll quickly get abusive and personalize the
> discussion if things don't appear to go her way. She has also
> frequently accused women who argue with her of being men.
>
>
> -----------------------------
> How do you deal with Hyerdahl?
>
> Do not take her at face value. When you realize that she's not arguing
> the facts, but interested only in advantage over others and self
> empowerment, you'll understand why she shifts ground so rapidly and
> will ignore rather than concede a point. You'll also understand why,
> when you corner her, she becomes abusive rather than give ground that
> should be given.
>
> Do not believe you can discuss issues with her rationally, arriving at
> some sort of conclusion. Hers is a megalomaniac neurosis and if you
> play into it without thinking, you'll find that her world has only one
> paradigm: she must always win.
>
> Most posters here have learned to ignore her. She's been here for many
> years, and she's not about to change. That's a practical treatment,
> but if you want a more humane solution, bear in mind as you reply to
> her that you're dealing with a mentally disturbed person who has
> become very needy. With that understanding, she won't get under your
> skin and you can deal with her humanely. Don't drain a lot of energy
> with her; we're here to discuss men's issues, not get sidetracked into
> endless ad hominem attacks.
>
>




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